Peste des petits ruminants kills nearly 200 goats in Idjwi as authorities appeal for help

At least 191 goats died of peste des petits ruminants between June 6 and October 6, 2026, in three groupings of the Rubenga chiefdom in northern Idjwi territory, South Kivu. Territorial inspector Barunva Emmanuel recorded 64 deaths in Bunyakiri, 64 in Kihumba and 63 in Bugarula; symptoms include repeated severe diarrhea, nasal discharge and ulcers around the muzzle and mouth. He alerted the territorial administration and the provincial coordinator of the One Health approach in Kalehe and called for urgent veterinary intervention. In the meantime, residents are urged to improve hygiene and biosecurity, including avoiding sleeping in the same rooms as their animals.